Winter has definitely been making itself felt. Temperatures are lower and the rain continues to fall. Often with this kind of weather we can become more reflective.
In a visit with my Spiritual Director this month, as I reflected, I realised just how many things are happening that point to God at work in our lives. I was reminded of the three omni’s of God. His omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence.
I feel that these are both a comfort and a challenge as we engage in the world around us. A challenge because I know that He knows all there is to know about me! A comfort because I can have peace in knowing that God is in control, that His plans are greater, that He knows everything and He still loves me and called me.
May this month's Overflow comfort encourage and support you in what you are called to.
Prayers and blessings,
Denise Barrington
Tēnā koe, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, 안녕하세요, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia orana, 你好, Noa‘ia, Hello!
Jane and I were invited to Bastion Point/Takaparawhau for the second annual Matariki organised by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei (the main central Auckland tribe), along with a number of Erebus families I have been working with. It was a privilege for me in my chaplaincy role and with Jane to be included in the invitation by the Ministry of Culture & Heritage.
So, we got up early leaving the house at 4am. A lonely drive with virtually no traffic to St Heliers and around the waterfront to a carpark at Okahu Bay where we were designated to meet. Then amid hundreds of others, boarded buses to take us up the nearby hill to the hilltop marae.
Thousands of people gathered in the dark and despite the nearby CBD and city lights, the sky was mostly clear so we could see many of the prominent stars, although the Matariki cluster (Pleiades) itself was quite faint in the dawn light, near the moon.
The hour’s programme consisted of speeches, mostly in Maori, with Karakia (prayers), Karanga (calling) and Waiata (songs), and always with great enthusiasm. Jane took the attached photograph from where we were standing, with one of the open fires nearby, one of the flags evident and the face of a young leader. You can see the moon in the photo and the changing sky at the very beginning of the dawn. As light increased, you can also see Rangitoto gradually appearing in front of us across the Waitemata harbour.
As dawn broke and the programme ended, we were invited to the nearby marae dining room for breakfast. Hundreds of people took up the invitation, and Jane and I were pleased to have hot coffee and a lovely cooked breakfast. Then we all enjoyed waiata from many of the Ngāti Whātua women. Wonderful songs with many young ones involved and it reminded us of the Pasifika singing we have so much appreciated over the years.
In July many people gathered at dawn to participate in Matariki activities led by various marae or iwi groups. Laidlaw College shared a resource that helps us to understand how the Church can be prepared to engage with Matariki. You can find the resource here.
New Release!
Great for edifying Christians and handing to those on the fringes of the faith
Who is Jesus? Who did he think he was?
How do we know he's real? Was his resurrection real? What influence has he had on humanity? Is he real today? If so, what?
Produced and written in a language everyone can understand.
$10. Free Postage
Contact Rev. George Bryant to order: bryantgw@xtraconz
3 - 5 November
East City Wesleyan Church, 219 Burswood Drive, Botany, Auckland
Announcing the appointment of Rev Jo Verkerk as Director of Discipleship and Training.
We are pleased to have Jo join with the National Leadership Team in this role. While this role is part time it will bring much needed focus to Discipleship as part of initiatives towards Church Health. Jo will also support our training needs across the breadth of the church. Jo can be contacted at jo.verkerk@wesleyan.nz
In the last few months Millwater Wesleyan Church has been focusing on the different ways we encounter God in our lives. Asking ourselves the questions - Who is God in each situation we find ourselves? What is He already doing? And, How might He be calling us to join Him?
We have been in a period of reflection and planning with an upcoming Alpha and plans for an invitational craft fellowship group in our local area. We are also excited about our regular youth gatherings and the recent establishment of a young adult's ministry.
We are extremely thankful for the way our people are connecting to support each other in practical ways and with prayer.
We continue to build ecumenical connections as we have connected with other local churches as well as the local Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship International.
Pleaseprayfor:
Our young adult ministry - the volunteer leaders and those attending.
Alpha - team and attendees.
Craft fellowship group - venue, organisation.
Opportunities for a more visible presence in our community.
We are on the lookout for an energetic, experienced, and peoplefocused Head Teacher/Centre Manager to lead our capable teaching team in delivering quality early childhood education.
Little Sunbeams is a Christian early childhood centre, licensed for 30 children between the ages of 2 and 5. For the past fifteen years, we have been serving our local community, providing quality Christian early education so tamariki can come to understand God’s love for them.
This exciting opportunity would suit someone who is a keen problem solver with excellent communication and selfmanagement skills to guide the centre into the future while maintaining a caring nature towards tamariki, parents and whānau.
If this role sounds like you, find out more here. You can also visit our centre and meet the staff.
Rev.BrettJones-natsuper@wesleyan.nz Ass'tNationalSuperintendent
RevAtuLagi-pastoralcare@wesleyannz
Rev.PeterBenzie-dirops@wesleyan.nz
NationalTreasurer
MichelleYates-missions@wesleyan.nz DirectorofMinisterialFormation
RevMelissaPowell-nbmf@wesleyannz DirectorofMultiplication
Rev.MikeYates-churchdevt@wesleyan.nz DirectorofNextGenerations
RevStephenieCouch-youth@wesleyannz
We invite you to make donations to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Join us to make a difference and reach the lost with the grace and holiness of Jesus Christ.
Using the WMCANZ bank account number below, please include your first initial and surname in the particulars field and 'donation' in the reference field.
03-0206-0380248-00
Particulars: e.g. 'J Smith' Reference: e.g. 'Donation'
Please email accounts@wesleyan.nz with your details to receive a donation receipt.
